A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. Houston for Families, Attractions, Nightlife, and Food

Should you visit Bonn or Houston?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bonn or Houston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a diverse, sprawling, and southern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Bonn and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston than Bonn. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Houston is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bonn attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Bonn different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Houston and Bonn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bonn or Houston?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Bonn or Houston.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Many visitors head to Houston specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

Is the Food Better in Bonn or Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bonn and Houston offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Houston. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Houston has something for everybody. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for live music. However, Bonn is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Bonn is not a live music destination.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is well known for its old town. However, Houston does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Houston?

Bonn is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bonn is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Families?

Bonn is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Bonn is very family-friendly. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Houston make for a nice place to visit.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn is a good destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Students?

Bonn is well known for students. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Bonn. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

It's common for students to visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Is Bonn or Houston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bonn is well known for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bonn can get you to some places easily. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Bonn or Houston a more walkable city?

Bonn is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Bonn is a very walkable city. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bonn and Houston. In our opinion, Bonn has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bonn than Houston. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bonn, and 2-3 days is enough time in Houston.

Families should spend more time in Bonn than Houston. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bonn, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bonn than Houston. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bonn that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn than Houston if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bonn.

One day in Bonn or Houston?

In Bonn, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Houston is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bonn or Houston?

In Bonn, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bonn has to offer.

Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bonn or Houston?

Bonn is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling big city of Houston. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The diverse city of Houston offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Bonn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bonn is in Europe and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bonn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bonn and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in Bonn.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bonn Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Houston, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bonn or Houston?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bonn or Houston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Houston. Most visitors come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bonn is much colder than Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bonn in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Bonn usually gets less rain in July than Houston. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bonn because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In October, Bonn is generally much colder than Houston. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 12°C (53°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Houston. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Bonn during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bonn in the winter. Bonn is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Houston. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Houston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Houston. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bonn is much colder than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bonn in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Houston. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Bonn